Marcel Brands has been promoted to Everton’s board of directors.
Brands became the Blues’ new director of football in June last year following eight years working in the same role with PSV Eindhoven.
The Dutchman was credited with unearthing the likes of Hirving Lozano, Dries Mertens and Georginio Wijnaldum during that spell in his homeland.
His influence is already keenly felt at Goodison Park with the arrival of seven new first-team signings during the summer, including Barcelona’s Yerry Mina.
Tuesday’s General Meeting saw Brands charged with overseeing Everton’s long-term football strategy at boardroom level as well as his original role.
He said: “It gives me a lot of confidence that I’m a board member now and I hope to do the best for our club.
“Being at Everton has been even better than I thought it would be.
“I was working at a great club in Holland and was happy there but it was a great chance for me to come to the Premier League and join Everton.
“At the start I had a great feeling but it’s been a better feeling working here. I work with a lot of great people with blue blood and I’m confident we can achieve many good things in the future.”